The RAF base at Yatesbury dates from WWI, when a small fleet of Avro 504s were run out of it by the Royal Flying Corps. In WWII it became the RAF's major centre for training airborne radio and radar operators and the base became No2 Radio School, which operated alongside the rather grand buildings of the flying school which had opened in 1936. After the war the base became Group HQ RAF Cherhill until 1969 when it was closed and left to rot. More recently, there was a proposal to turn the flying school into luxury apartments and the hangars to industrial units. Clearly, quite recently the money ran out and it turned into the "building site that time forgot"! Visited with Fluffy as part of our epic Wiltshire day!
Firstly, the old flying school buildings
Inside these buildings - there is not much left, like ceilings and floors. This main building was offices and training rooms.
Underneath this building, the ever eagle-eyed Fluffy spotted this little gem in the old boiler room
Across from here is what looks like the accommodation block for the ranks, including the omnipresent bogs!
The officers accommodation was obviously a beautiful old building once, but it is here that the recent construction work stopped
Over to the old hangers. We thought that the frame of the hangars was probably original but all the refurb work on them was obviously very new. Lucky enough, we managed to clock a tawny owl up in the rafters
And finally a few other bits and bobs including the gun range butts and other things
We were wondering what that last building is; its the only totally secure building on the site and has a partially glass roof. Answers on a postcard please to the usual address.
Enjoy the pics!
GDZ
Firstly, the old flying school buildings
Inside these buildings - there is not much left, like ceilings and floors. This main building was offices and training rooms.
Underneath this building, the ever eagle-eyed Fluffy spotted this little gem in the old boiler room
Across from here is what looks like the accommodation block for the ranks, including the omnipresent bogs!
The officers accommodation was obviously a beautiful old building once, but it is here that the recent construction work stopped
Over to the old hangers. We thought that the frame of the hangars was probably original but all the refurb work on them was obviously very new. Lucky enough, we managed to clock a tawny owl up in the rafters
And finally a few other bits and bobs including the gun range butts and other things
We were wondering what that last building is; its the only totally secure building on the site and has a partially glass roof. Answers on a postcard please to the usual address.
Enjoy the pics!
GDZ
